Royal Irish's Rockabill VI is Rocking It In Class 0 of Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta

7th July 2023

WM Nixon

Paul O'Higgin's well-proven JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI (RIYC) leads overall after three races sailed in Class IRC Zero of the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Credit: Bob Bateman

You'll sometimes hear complaints that the impressive JPK range from France are marginally under-canvassed boats, but what's not to like about that when racing on Friday's slowly easing rough and tumble?

Paul O'Higgin's well-proven JPK 10.80 Rockabill VI (RIYC) took it all in her stride to keep a clean sheet in IRC 0 of the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta ahead of Pete Smyth's slightly lower-rated Sun Fast 3600 Searcher (NYC), with third going to Johnny Treanor's new J112eGP (NYC) in the first race of three sailed.

Pete Smyth's Sun Fast 3600 Searcher (NYC) lies second by a single point after three races sailed at the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman

And those overall scores were maintained at the close of play on Friday after two more windward leeward courses, with O'Higgins one point clear of Smyth on six points. Treanor trails Smyth by five points on 12 points.

Johnny Treanor's new J112eGP Valentina lies third overall after three races sailed at the 2023 Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta Photo: Bob Bateman

The strong southerly winds are expected to continue for Saturday's races before moderating for Sunday's conclusion of the biennial event.

The Dun Laoghaire Motor Yacht Club, National Yacht Club, Royal Irish Yacht Club, and Royal St. George Yacht Club are organising the ninth Volvo Dun Laoghaire Regatta.

Published in DL Regatta: Cr 0, Volvo Regatta

Published in DL Regatta: Cr 0

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About The Author

WM Nixon

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William M Nixon has been writing about sailing in Ireland for many years in print and online, and his work has appeared internationally in magazines and books. His own experience ranges from club sailing to international offshore events, and he has cruised extensively under sail, often in his own boats which have ranged in size from an 11ft dinghy to a 35ft cruiser-racer. He has also been involved in the administration of several sailing organisations.

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